Key Events

Signing off

Thanks for following the live blog folks, we are signing off now, but keep an eye on Belfast Live website and social media pages for further updates on this story later this evening.

17:56

Praise for school staff and emergency services

Fellow parents collecting children from Killowen PS this afternoon have praised the response of the staff and local emergency services in handling and dealing with the situation.

17:46

Police cordon

The police cordon around Killowen PS where the incident occurred has just been removed.

17:36

Children's ages

The children involved in the lightning strike incident are said to be a boy aged five, and a girl aged 7.

17:29

MLA sends his prayers to the family

Ulster Unionist Lagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler has expressed his concern for the family hospitalised after being hit by lightning at Killowen Primary School

Robbie Butler MLA said: “Obviously all our thoughts are with the family who have been severely hurt in this freak accident. I hope and pray they make a full and speedy recovery.My deepest sympathies are with the three people that have been injured and I am sure they will be supported by the local community who will assist the wider family at this terrible time.

“Support for the family and school friends is also essential to ensure that all of those affected receive care and counselling. School staff and other parents must be commended for their actions in offering care until the emergency services could attend.

“As a former firefighter, I know it is important at these times to remind the general public of some important safety messages when an electrical storm occurs.”

17:28

Image from the scene at Killowen PS

The scene at Killowen Primary School in Lisburn (Image: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)

17:20KEY EVENT

KIllowen PS Statement

Killowen PS Principal Fiona Douglas said: “I can confirm that a parent and two children were injured outside the school’s main gate this afternoon.

“School staff and parents attended to the injured family until the arrival of the emergency services.

“Following this all other pupils, accompanied by staff, went safely to nearby Laurehill Community College where they were collected by parents.

“The thoughts of the entire school community are with the family at this time.”

17:07KEY EVENT

Ambulance Service Advice

A spokesperson for NI Ambulance Service has urged people to be vigilant with possibility of further thunder and lighting in NI possible.

They said: “As more thundery showers are forecast with the possibility of lightning we would ask people to remain very vigilant when they are out and about. If there is a high chance of thunder storms – lightning safety advice would suggest that you stay indoors but if you are outside you should avoid open fields and hilltops.

“You should also stay away from tall, isolated trees. If you are in a group, spread out to avoid the current travelling between group members. You should also stay away from water and wet items as well as metal objects, which are all excellent conductors of electricity.

17:05

Ambulance Service Statement

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) have issued a statement following the incident in Lisburn today.

They said: “NIAS was called to the scene, just before 2 pm today, following reports that an adult male had been struck by a bolt of lightning. A Rapid Response Paramedic was on scene in 7 minutes to find that two children had also been struck. Three A&E crews and a further 2 RRV Paramedics were sent to the scene.

The adult was taken to the nearby Lagan Valley Hospital and the two children were taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. All three are being treated for the injuries sustained and they remain in our thoughts.”

16:59

Staff and parents assisted those injured

Killowen PS principal Fiona Douglas has said that staff and parents treated the family at the scene before the emergency services arrived.

She told the BBC: “Following this all other pupils, accompanied by staff, went safely to nearby Laurel Hill Community College where they were collected by parents.

“The thoughts of the entire school community are with the family at this time.”

16:52

Parents informed of accident

It is understood parents with children at Killowen PS were sent a message just after the lightning strike occurred to inform them there had been an accident and children could be collected immediately from LaurelHill High School.

16:43

Area Sealed Off

The area around Killowen PS has been sealed off where the incident occurred. The school had been having their sports day earlier this afternoon.

16:36

MP sends his prayers

MP for Lagan Valley area Jeffery Donaldson has sent his prayers to those affected. He said on Twitter: “Please join me in praying for those affected by this incident in Lisburn.”

16:31

Belfast Trust

The Belfast Trust have urged anyone who thinks they may have been struck by lighting to seek medical attention. They said lightning when it strikes needs and entry and exit point can appear like a burn on the skin. If someone believes they may have been struck, they should seek help from medical professionals as soon as possible.

16:26

Local Councillor reacts

Local Councillor Scott Carson has sent his thoughts and prayers to all involved.

16:23

Images from the Scene

These are images from the scene at Laurel Hill Road earlier this afternoon, where the incident occured.

16:21KEY EVENT

Children's Injuries

The two children were transferred by ambulance to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children were they are being treated for burns.

The young boy is in a critical condition, while the young girl is seriously ill, a Belfast Trust spokesperson has confirmed

16:19KEY EVENT

Condition Updates

The man, understood to be the father of the two children was transferred to Lagan Valley Hospital, where a spokesperson for the South Eastern Trust confirmed that he is in a critical condition.

4.00pm

Emergency Services

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) received a call shortly after 2pm this afternoon following a report that a man had been struck by lighting on Laurel Hill Road.

They sent one rapid response vehicle and one A&E crew to the scene.

A spokesperson for NIAS told Belfast Live: “When crews arrived at the scene they realised two children had also been involved in the incident and a two further rapid response units and A&E crews were dispatched.”

3:45pmKEY EVENT

Three seriously hurt after lighting strike

A man and boy are in a critical condition in hospital and a young girl is seriously ill after being struck by lighting in Lisburn this afternoon.